NEA names new political director

Pugh to head 3 million-member’s campaigns and elections department

WASHINGTON - March 03, 2015 -

The National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, has named Carrie Pugh as its new political director. Pugh will lead NEA’s national and state elections, strategic operations, civic and member engagement and PAC fundraising efforts. Prior to taking on her new role, she oversaw NEA’s coordinated campaigns, redistricting, civic engagement, data and analytics, and served as NEA’s White House liaison.

“Carrie Pugh’s expertise in campaigns and elections will play a critical role as NEA gears up for the 2016 election cycle,” said NEA Executive Director John Stocks. “Carrie’s diverse background in the political and labor worlds is essential. We can trust that she will be a major asset to the daily and long term electoral and political strategies of the National Education Association and will ensure that we always put students at the center of every discussion.”

Prior to joining NEA in 2007, Pugh spent more than six years at the Service Employee International Union in its political department, serving as the national field director and the Midwest political director. She has spearheaded and directed strategy, voter contact, and member mobilization for three presidential campaigns under SEIU and NEA. Pugh also worked on the 2000 Census and on the redistricting process for state legislatures, working as the senior analyst to the Democratic National Committee’s redistricting project in 2001.

Karen White, who had served as NEA’s political director since 2007, was promoted to Senior Director of Enterprise Data and Information Strategy. She will be responsible for executing Association-wide adoption and implementation of state-of-the-art technology tools and strategies to accomplish the organization’s goals.

“As educators, we will always support candidates who stand up for students,” added Stocks. “With our dynamic campaigns and elections team, NEA will continue to provide a strong voice for our members in the fight to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed in life.”

Follow NEA on Twitter at @EdVotes

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org.

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